Case for hemacytometer and similar apparatus



Aug. 16,1927. l y1,639,436

. W. L. PATTERSON .CASE FOR HMACYTOMETER AND SIMILAR APPARATUS Filed May 12. 192:5

I N V EN TOR. Wdaml. faensom Patented ug. 16, 1927.

UrnTeo STATES Y 1,639,436 PATENT orifice.

yW'ILLEAM L. PATTERSON, OF ROCHSTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO BAUSCH t LOMB OPTICAL COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER', NEW YORK.

Caen non HEMACYTOMETER annk SIMILAR APPARATUS.

Application inea May 12, was. 'serial iro. 638,636.

My present invention relates to containers or cases for hemacytometer and similar apparatus, the chiefobject being to provide a compact, sanitary and convenient container or case for apparatus ofthe variety einployed in preparing fluid specimens for microscopical analysis, such, for example, as the hemacytometer slide, cover plate and pipette commonly employed for making a blood or other. fluid analysis. To these and other ends, the invention resides in Certain improvements and combinations of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel featuresbeing pointed out in the claims Vat the end of the specification.

In the drawings;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of 'a container or case embodying the present invention, with the case cover in open position.

Fig. Q. is a central, longitudinal sectional elevation of the case, with the ycover closed, and with a slide and cover plates positioned therein.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on line u-3a in Fig. 2.

Fig. l is an enlarged detail view of parts shown in Fig. 3.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The present invention provides an improved case for apparatus for preparing fluid specimens formicroscopical analysis, such, for example, as a hemacytometer slide, one or more cover plates therefor, and one or more pipettes for supplying Specimens to be tested, the cas'e bein-g preferably formed of sheet metal of a relatively non-corrodable character, such, as brass or aluminum lined with enamel or other suitable vitreous maten rial, the advantages of which, from sanitary aspects, as well as manufacturing economy will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the present embodiment, -disclosed herein by Way of illustration, preferably comprises a case including a body portion, 5, and cover', 6, each struck up from sheet metal in the form shown, and connected b y hinge means as shown at 7. Secured to the body portion, preferably adjacent the center of the latter, is a one piece sheet metal tray, 8, having substantially the same size and shape as a hemacytometer slide, indicated at 8a, with its marginal edge portion turned upwardly, as at 9, to retain the slide4 tion with the case to thereby increase the accessibility of the slide, but also provides at such depressed portions a receptacle for one or more slide cover plates indicated rvat 12, thus compactlylcarried beneath the slide. Preferably also, the depressed portionl is furnished With studs as at 13, to hold the cover plates in spaced relation therewith to facilitate gripping and removal. j

Means are provided for retaining a slide and cover plates in position on the tray, as described, comprising preferably a strip 14, riveted adjacent center, to thecase cover, with free resilient ends, 15, spaced from the latter for yielding engagement with the upper surface of thef slide, when the cover is closed, to retain the slid-e and plates in position.`

The locationof the tray for the slide and cover plates adjacent the center of the case body portion. as shown, provides space for the arrangement of one or more pipettes Within the case around the tray, and means are .provided for holding pipettes in such position, comprising spring clip means, indicated generally at 16, of Which two are employed in the vpresent instance, and located on the same Aside 'of the tray, although a different number of such `clip means may. of course, be employed, differently arranged. Eachv clip means preferably includes a pair of substantially U shaped strips 17 and 18 of resilient metal, located one within the other, respectively, as shown in Fig. 4, and riveted together and to the case. Each pair of adjacent arm terminalsare preferably formed to extend in spaced relation, as at 19 and 20, to receive and retain the body portion Vof a pipette, the usual HeXible tube portion of which may be arranged or coiled in the case around the tray. Provision is thus made in the present instance for holding two such pipettes each of which is retained in position at its ends bythe clip devices 16. The elevated tray serves to provide a channel-like space bet-Ween itself and the marginal Wall of the case body in which the pipette tubes are received and retained as described.

The case body and cover are provided with suitable latch means for holding the same in closed position, comprising in the present instance a spring latch plate 21, fixed at one end 22, to the marginal wall of the case body portion, and having its other end provided With an upstanding hook, 23, adapted to spring over a catch plate, 24, on the marginal Wall of the cover. The latch has a finger piece, 25, projecting through a slot in the casinOv for operating the latch to release the cover.

The construction of the case and its parts y of sheet metal and the compact arrangement described substantially reduces the `dimen* sions of the case to convenient pocket size. rlhe employment of metal of a character resisting corrosion lined with enamel or other vitreous material afords highly sanitary type of case, which may be readily sterilized and cleaned Without injury. Such construction, furthermore, materially reduces the cost of manufacture, and provides a convenient and attractive case for the purposes described.

l claim as my inventionl. A case of the character described, comprising relatively movable body and cover sections, a tray Within said body section comprising a dished portion secured to the 1cody section and adapted to receive a slide cover plate, said portion having two of its sides extended in spaced and in substantially parallel relation to the casing Wall upon which it is secured, said extensions being adapted to receive a slide and means upon the cover section adapted when the latter is closed to engage and hold the slide upon said extensions.

2. A case of the character described, comprising relatively movable body and cover sections, a tray Within said body section comprising a dished portion secured to the bottom of the body section and adapted to receive a slide cover plate, said portion having oppositely disposed extensions in spaced and substantially parallel relation to the bottom of the body section, said extensions being adapted to receive a slide and each having upstanding guards for the slide and a resilient strip secured to the cover section intermediate the ends of the latter and adapted to yieldingly engage the slide when said cover section is in closed position.

3. A case of the character described, comprising relatively movable body and cover sections, a tray having a dished portion for receiving a slide cover plate, said portion being secured to the bottom Wall of the body section and having oppositely arranged ex-l tensions spaced from and .substantially parallel to said Wall and adapted to support a slide above the slide cover plate and meansl supported by a cover adapted to engage the slide to hold it in position When the cover is closed.

4. A case of the character described, comprising relatively movable body and cover sections, a one piece tray having a central portion in the form of a receptacle adapted to receive a slide cover plate and being secured upon the bottom Wall of the body section and having oppositely arranged extensions spaced from and substantially parallel to said Wall and adapted to receive a slide and a spring clip secured to the cover section and adapted to yieldingly engage the slide when the cover section is in closed position.

5. A case of the character described, comprising relatively movable body and cover sections, a tray having a central port-ion in the form of a receptacle secured to the bottom Wall of the body section and provided with inwardly extending projections for receiving a slide cover plate and having oppositely arranged slide receiving extensions spaced from and parallel to said Wall and projecting in spaced relation to all parts of the case, said extensions having up-turned edge portions for retaining the slide, a spring clip secured to the upper section adapted to engage the slide When said upper section is in closed position and means on the body section at one side of said tray for holding a pipette.

WILLIAM L. PATTERSON. 

